PhD. Biological Sciences

University of Missouri, Columbia, MO

N/A

2021 - 2015

• Coursework included Machine Learning Methods for Biomedical Informatics, Quantitative Methods in the Life Sciences, and Grant Writing

Bachelor of Science

Truman State University, Kirksville, MO

N/A

2015 - 2011

• Coursework included Next Generation Sequence Data and Analysis, Bioinformatics, Analysis of Variance and Experimental Design, Non-Parametric Statistics, and Economic & Medicinal Botany

Research Geneticist

Jacob Washburn Lab, USDA-ARS

N/A

Present - 2021

• Improved yield prediction of maize in diverse environments by using deep learning to better capture gene by environment effects. Conducted research and wrote manuscript on results. Communciated results to stakeholders through local and national presentations. Supervised undergraduate high throughput phenotyping project and assisted with related coding needs.

Graduate Student

David Schulz Lab, Missouri State University

N/A

2021 - 2016

• Assessed the efficacy of machine learning models to recapitulate neural cell identity from mRNA expression 1. Demonstrated that activity desynchronization induces degree dependent changes in conductance between neurons 2. Investigated the compensatory effects of elevated depolarization on neuronal excitability, conductances, and ion channel mRNA abundances in small neural networks 3.

Graduate Student Rotation

Loren Milescu Lab, Missouri State University

N/A

2015

• Developed a protocol for live imaging neurons in Drosophila melanogaster with a two-photon microscope.

Graduate Student Rotation

Bing Zhang Lab, Missouri State University

N/A

2015

• Designed a machine to assay Drosophila climbing (used in Willenbrink et al. 2016) and quantified sleep patterns of Drosophila tyrosine hydroxylase mutants

Undergraduate Researcher

Diane Janick-Buckner, Brent Buckner Lab, Truman State University

N/A

2014

• Designed and prototyped a hydroponic growth chamber for maize root phenotyping.

NSF REU Student

Rahul Kanadia Lab, University of Conneticut

N/A

2014

• Measured minor spliceosome upregulation using in situ hybridization supporting a role in postponing retinal cell death.

NSF REU Student

Christian Lorson Lab, Missouri State University

N/A

2013

• Assessed motor function in mouse model of spinal muscular atrophy with and without oligonucleotide treatment.

Camp Counselor & Lifeguard

N/A

N/A

2012

• Responsible for safety, development, and wellbeing of campers.

Student Assistant

Laszlo Kovacs Laboratory, Missouri State University

N/A

2011

• Tested teaching experiments for use in a genetics course.

NIFA Fellowship (AFRI EWD)

$225,000 awarded over two years to create and environmentally aware deep learning genomic selection models and prepare the recipient to transition into industry Grant Number 2023-67012-39485

N/A

2025 - 2023

Poster Ranked first in MU Plant Research Symposium poster competition

N/A

N/A

2022

J. Perry Gustafson Award for Outstanding Graduate Research in the Life Sciences

This $2,000 award is granted for the quality of their research and academic achievements.

N/A

2019

NIH T32 Training Grant Recipient

This provides a $27,000 yearly stipend and $750 yearly to facilitate presenting research at scientific conferences.

N/A

2018 - 2016

Cum Laude & President’s Recognition, Truman State University

N/A

N/A

2015

Panel Member, Non-academic research careers, MU Summer Undergraduate Research Program: Professional Dev. Mini-Conference

N/A

N/A

2023

Panel Member, Working with your Mentor, MU Summer Undergraduate Research Program: Summer Intern Orientation

N/A

N/A

2023

Workshop Assistant; Data Management with SQL

University of Missouri, Columbia

N/A

2022

• Data Management with SQL

Workshop Instructor; R for Reproducible Scientific Analysis

University of Missouri, Columbia

N/A

2022

Workshop Creator; Tools and Techniques for a Jupyter Based Scientific Workflow

Created and delivered a workshop on data visualization in Python for University of Missouri Bioinformatics in Plant Science

N/A

2022

Software Carpentries Certified Instructor

Received theoretical and practical instruction on leading computational workshops. Taught R for Reproducible Scientific Analysis, assisted in teaching Data Management with SQL.

N/A

2022

Panel Member, Next-Generation Omics, Biological Sciences Divisional Retreat

Ruthie Angelovici, David J Schulz, Daniel R Kick, and Mannie Liscum, University of Missouri Division of Biological Sciences Retreat

N/A

2022

Society for Neuroscience Member

N/A

N/A

2019 - 2016

Workshop Assistant; Computational Neuroscience: Models and Neurobiology (NIH BRAIN Initiative Short Course)

N/A

N/A

2017 - 2016

Scientific Poster Judge

Spring Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievements Forum

N/A

2016

Madi Michell

N/A

N/A

2022

• University of Missouri Student Researcher

Grace Sidberry

N/A

N/A

2021

• University of Missouri Student Researcher

Abby Beckerdite

N/A

N/A

2019 - 2016

• University of Missouri Student Researcher

Ayla Ross

N/A

N/A

2019

• NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates Student

Katlyn Sullivan

N/A

N/A

2018

• NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates Student

Kelly Hiersche

N/A

N/A

2017

• NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates Student

Rody Kingston

N/A

N/A

2016

• Postbaccalaureate Research Student

APSIM Training Course, Iowa State University

N/A

N/A

2023

MU-Bayer Mentoring Program (mentee)

N/A

N/A

2022

Software Carpentry: Python, University of Missouri

N/A

N/A

2020

Diversity & Inclusion Workshop, University of Missouri

N/A

N/A

2017

Big Data in Biology, University of Austin

N/A

N/A

2016

Yield Prediction Through Integration of Genetic, Environment, and Management Data Through Deep Learning

Daniel R. Kick, Jason G. Wallace, James C. Schnable, Judith M. Kolkman, Baris Alaca, Timothy M. Beissinger, David Ertl, Sherry Flint-Garcia, Joseph L. Gage, Candice N. Hirsch, Joseph E. Knoll, Natalia de Leon, Dayane C. Lima, Danilo Moreta, Maninder P. Singh, Teclemariam Weldekidan, Jacob D. Washburn

G3

2023

Timing dependent potentiation and depression of electrical synapses contributes to network stability in the crustacean cardiac ganglion

Daniel R. Kick and David J. Schulz

The Journal of Neuroscience

2022

Molecular profiling of single neurons of known identity in two ganglia from the crab Cancer borealis

Adam J. Northcutt1, Daniel R. Kick1, Adriane G. Otopalik, Benjamin M. Goetz, Rayna M. Harris, Joseph M. Santin, Hans A. Hofmann, Eve Marder, and David J. Schulz

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

2019

Cell Communication: Studying gap junctions with PARIS

Daniel R Kick, David J Schulz

eLife

2019

Dopamine maintains network synchrony via direct modulation of gap junctions in the crustacean cardiac ganglion

Brian J Lane, Daniel R Kick, David K Wilson, Satish S Nair, David J Schulz

eLife

2018

Motor Systems: Variability in neural networks

Daniel R Kick, David J Schulz

eLife

2018

The Hillary Climber trumps manual testing: an automatic system for studying Drosophila climbing

Alex M. Willenbrink, Margo K. Gronauer, Leon F. Toebben, Daniel R. Kick, Madalyn Wells & Bing Zhang

The Journal of Neurogenetics

2016

The Mustard Mayhem: Phylogenetically localizing and dating the mesohexaploidy of the tribe Brassiceae

Shawn K. Thomas, R. Shawn Abrahams, Nora Walden, Tatiana Arias, Daniel Robert Kick, Alex McAlvay, Alex Harkess, Michael R. McKain, Ihsan A. Al-Shehbaz, Frederic Lens, Kasper Hendriks, Marcus A. Koch, J. Chris Pires, Jacob Washburn

(In Prep)

2023

Crustacean cardiac ganglion model reveals constraints on morphology and conductances

Dan Dopp, Pranit Samarth, Jing Wang, Daniel Kick, David J. Schulz, Satish S. Nair

In Prep, BioR\(\chi\)iv

2023

Effects of Spinal Cord Injury on Major Pelvic Ganglion Activity (Placeholder Title)

Michael L. Gray1, Daniel R. Kick1, Benton Berigan, Sherryl Henderson, David J. Schulz

(In Prep)

2023

Maize yield prediction accuracy increased by inclusion of genetics, environment, and management interactions with deep learning

Maize Genetics Meeting

N/A

2023

• Daniel R Kick, Jacob D. Washburn (2023)
• Presentation

Maize Yield Prediction Accuracy Increased By Inclusion of Genetics, Environment, and Management Interactions With Deep Learning

Plant and Animal Genetics (PAG), San Diego CA

N/A

2023

• Daniel R Kick, Jacob D. Washburn (2023)
• Poster

Improving Maize Yield Prediction through Genetic, Environmental, and Management Factor Interactions with Deep Learning

ASA, CSSA and SSSA International Annual Meetings, Baltimore MD

N/A

2022

• Daniel R Kick, Jacob D. Washburn (2022)
• Poster

Improving Maize Yield Prediction through Genetic, Environmental, and Management Factor Interactions with Deep Learning

ASA, CSSA and SSSA International Annual Meetings, Baltimore MD

N/A

2022

• Daniel R Kick, Jacob D. Washburn (2022)
• Presentation

Yield Prediction Accuracy is Improved Through Incorporating Genetic, Environmental, and Management Interactions with Deep Learning,

University of Missouri Interdisciplinary Plant Group Symposium, Columbia MO

N/A

2022

• Daniel R Kick, Jacob D. Washburn (2022)
• Presentation

Effects of blockade of K+ currents on membrane conductance and channel expression at 1 hour and 24 hours in motor neurons of the cardiac ganglion.

Dynamic Neural Networks: The Stomatogastric Nervous System, Virtual

N/A

2020

• Daniel R Kick, Brian J. Lane, David J Schulz.
• Presentation

Loss of synchronous activity across gap junctions results in a phase-dependent change in coupling conductance magnitude.

Neuroscience, Chicago IL

N/A

2019

• Daniel R Kick, David J Schulz.
• Poster

Asynchronous voltage activity regulates electrical synapse plasticity.

Dynamic Neural Networks: The Stomatogastric Nervous System, Chicago IL

N/A

2019

• Daniel R Kick, David J Schulz.
• Presentation

Variability from mRNAs to network output in the C. borealis cardiac ganglion.

Dynamic Neural Networks: The Stomatogastric Nervous System, Washington D.C

N/A

2017

• Daniel R Kick, David J Schulz.
• Presentation

Variation across network output, excitatory post synaptic potentials, ionic conductances, and ion channel and receptor mRNAs within motor neurons of the crustacean cardiac ganglion.

Neuroscience, Washington D.C.

N/A

2017

• Daniel R Kick, Brian J Lane, Joseph L Ransdell, Satish S Nair, David J Schulz.
• Poster

What crustaceans can teach us about the workings of the nervous system.

Animal Behavior Society, Columbia MO

N/A

2016

• Virginia Garcia, Daniel R Kick, Cindy Kyi, Brian J Lane, Kwasi M Lett, Adam J Northcutt, Joseph L Ransdell, Simone Temporal, and David J Schulz.
• Poster

Maize Yield Prediction Accuracy Increased By Inclusion of Genetics, Environment, and Management Interactions With Deep Learning

University of Missouri MU Plant Research Symposium, Columbia MO

N/A

2023

• Daniel R Kick, Jacob D Washburn
• Poster

Maize Yield Prediction is Improved by Modeling Interactions between Genetic, Environmental, and Management Factors with Deep Learning

Interdisciplinary Plant Group Seminar “Plant Talks”, Columbia MO

N/A

2022

• Daniel R Kick, Jacob D Washburn
• Presentation

Yield Prediction Through Integration of Genetic, Environment, and Management Data by Deep Learning

University of Missouri MU Plant Research Symposium, Columbia MO

N/A

2022

• Daniel R Kick, Jacob D Washburn
• Poster
• Ranked first in poster competition

Classifying neurons from molecular data

University of Missouri DataPhiles, Columbia MO

N/A

2019

• Daniel R Kick, David J Schulz
• Presentation

Voltage Dependent Modification of Electrical Synapses and Ionic Conductances

University of Missouri-Columbia Life Sciences Week, Columbia MO

N/A

2018

• Daniel R Kick, David J Schulz
• Poster

The Cancer borealis Cardiac Ganglion: a Window into Variability and Activity Dependent Regulation

NIH-T32 progress seminar, Columbia MO

N/A

2017

• Daniel R Kick, David J Schulz
• Presentation

Upregulation of the Minor Spliceosome in Mouse Retinae due to Zaprinast Exposure

Truman State University Student Research Conference, Kirksville MO

N/A

2015

• Daniel R Kick, Marybeth Baumgartner, Christopher Lemoine, Devi Krishna Priya Karunakaran, Nikita Sturrock, Amye Black, Rahul Kanadia
• Poster

Upregulation of the Minor Spliceosome in Mouse Retinae due to Zaprinast Exposure

University of Connecticut Summer Undergraduate Research Conference, Storrs CT

N/A

2014

• Daniel R Kick, Marybeth Baumgartner, Christopher Lemoine, Devi Krishna Priya Karunakaran, Nikita Sturrock, Amye Black, Rahul Kanadia
• Poster

Effective Gene Therapy in Spinal Muscular Atrophy: Utilizing Antisense Oligonucleotides Targeting Intronic Repressor Element1

University of Missouri Summer Undergraduate Research Conference, Columbia MO

N/A

2013

• Daniel R Kick, Eric Osman, Christian Lorson
• Poster

Maize Yield Prediction Accuracy Increased By Inclusion of Genetics, Environment, and Management Interactions With Deep Learning

University of Missouri Graduate Student Recruitment, Columbia MO

N/A

2023

• Daniel R Kick, Jacob D. Washburn
• Poster

Maize Yield Prediction is Improved by using Deep Learning to Incorporate Interactions between Genetic, Environmental, and Management Factors.

USDA-ARS AgriCulture Series, Virtual

N/A

2022

• Daniel R Kick, Jacob D Washburn

From Neurobiologist to Research Geneticist

Beyond the PhD (beyond-the-phd.com), Virtual

N/A

2022

• Daniel R Kick
• Presentation

Spare the synapse, spoil the circuit, Public presentation

Science on Tap, Columbia MO

N/A

2019

• Daniel R Kick
• Presentation

Can mRNA expression recapitulate neuron cell types

Truman State University Alumni Research Presentation, Kirksville MO

N/A

2019

• Daniel R Kick
• Presentation

Voltage Dependent modification of Electrical Synapses

University of Missouri Biological Sciences Recruitment, Columbia MO

N/A

2019

• Daniel R Kick
• Poster

Gap Junction Conductance Modulation Via Voltage

Truman State University Alumni Research Presentation, Kirksville MO

N/A

2018

• Daniel R Kick
• Presentation

Please mind the gap: Network homeostatic plasticity in the Cancer borealis cardiac ganglion

Truman State University Alumni Research Presentation, Kirksville MO

N/A

2017

• Daniel R Kick
• Presentation

The Tell-Tale Heart: Applying crustacean neurogenic hearts to basic neurosciences questions

Truman State University Alumni Research Presentation, Kirksville MO

N/A

2016

• Daniel R Kick
• Presentation